Panthers Executive General Manager Phil Gould AM has provided some clarification on Tyrone Peachey's future with the club.
Speaking on The Rush Hour with MG on Tuesday, Gould confirmed Gold Coast Titans had recently made Peachey an offer which Panthers would be unable to match in financial terms.
The 26-year-old utility is currently contracted to Panthers until the end of 2019 however Gould said the club would not deny Peachey the chance to take up the lucrative deal in Queensland next year.
"Tyrone is currently considering quite a nice offer from the Gold Coast Titans for 2019 and beyond," Gould said.
"We certainly couldn't pay that (amount of) money but he deserves it and his form warrants it.
"From 2020 onwards a deal like that might not be available to him so it would be very unfair for us to hold him to the final year of his contract (with Panthers) if in fact he had such a great offer and a great opportunity.
"I'm not sure he's made a final decision (but) he's very close to making a final decision."
Gould further clarified that speculation that Peachey had requested an immediate release from Panthers was wide of the mark.
"Any discussions we've had with Tyrone have been about 2019 and beyond," Gould said.
"He doesn't particularly want to leave the club but he understands the opportunity and the financial benefits of it.
"At all times he's been very committed about staying in 2018. In fact I watched their training session this afternoon and you wouldn't have seen a happier player out there training with the side."
